Improved synthesis of meso-aryl-substituted [26]hexaphyrins.

[reaction: see text] Acid-catalyzed reactions of 5-(2',3',4',5',6'-pentafluorophenyl)dipyrromethane with aryl aldehydes and of 5-(aryl)dipyrromethanes with 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzaldehyde allowed the preparation of a variety of meso-aryl [26]hexaphyrins.